State arm wrestling event from May 14

Srinagar, Apr 28: Senior state arm wrestling championship would be organized at physical department hall, Islamia College from May 14 to 16.
The event, organized by J&K Arm Wrestling Association is open for all the players of J&K. State contingent for national championship scheduled to be held in Srinagar from June 19 to 23 would be selected during the event.
The championship is being held in weight categories of under- 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 110 and + 110 kg.
Indian Arm Wrestling Federation (IAWF) last month allowed J&K Arm Wresting Association to host the national meet in which around 300 players from 20 states are expected to participate.
General Secretary, of the Association, Riyaz Ahmad said, “We have requested the college authorities for permission. Competitions in 11 weight categories would be held and in each category we will select two participants for the national event.”
About the competition, he said, “We expect large number of hard core arm wrestlers to compete. We also expect previous champions to take part in it.”
The 33rd national arm wrestling event is being held first time in State.
“It is first time that our state will be hosting national event. We have shortlisted Sher-e-Kashmir Indoor Stadium and Tagore Hall for the national event and the participants would be lodged at Youth Hostel, which is in close vicinity to both the expected venues,” he said.
“The competitions would be held in both men and women category. IAWF is also thinking of including the junior categories and if that is finalized, it will be a bigger event,” he said, adding, special attraction of the event would be the competitions of physically challenged persons and senior citizens.
“Arm wrestling is the only sports discipline in which physically challenged competitors compete with equal competitiveness,” Riyaz said.

published in greater kashmir on April 29 http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=29_4_2009&ItemID=5&cat=4